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OHCHR / ETHIOPIA
STORY: OHCHR / ETHIOPIA
TRT: 02:30
SOURCE: UNTV CH
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 13 NOVEMBER 2020 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / RECENT
RECENT - GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
1. Wide shot, exterior Palais des Nations
13 NOVEMBER 2020, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
2. Various shots, briefing room Palais des Nations
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Rupert Colville, Spokesperson, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“Amid emerging reports of mass killings in the town of Mai-Kadra, in the south-west of the Ethiopian region of Tigray. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet is expressing increasing alarm, at the rapidly deteriorating situation in of Tigray. She warned that if the Tigray regional forces and Ethiopian Government forces continue down the path they are on “there is a risk this situation will spiral totally out of control, leading to heavy casualties and destruction, as well as mass displacement within Ethiopia itself and across borders. While the details of the alleged mass killings reported by Amnesty International in Mai-Kadra in south-west Tigray have not yet been fully verified, the High Commissioner is calling for a full inquiry. If confirmed as having been deliberately carried out by a party to the current fighting, these killings of civilians would of course amount to war crimes, and there must be an independent investigation and full accountability for what has happened. However, the first priority right now must be to stop the fighting and prevent any further atrocities from taking place. Despite the severing of communications with Tigray making it difficult to verify the extent of the damage so far, we have received reports from a variety of sources suggesting increased airstrikes by Government forces as well as fierce ground fighting between the opposing forces. The High Commissioner is also extremely alarmed at reports of cuts to essential water and electricity supplies, in addition to the communications blackout and blocking of access by road and air. This means there is already a dramatic impact on the civilian population, in addition to the risk of death or injury as a result of hostilities. She is strongly urging both sides to realize that there will be no winner in such a situation and calls on them to begin a serious dialogue to resolve their differences without delay. The High Commissioner warns that a protracted internal conflict will inflict devastating damage on both Tigray and Ethiopia as a whole, undoing years of vital development progress. It could, in addition, all too easily spill across borders, potentially destabilizing the whole sub-region.”
Amid emerging reports of mass killings in the town of Mai-Kadra, in the south-west of the Ethiopian region of Tigray, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet expressed “increasing alarm, at the rapidly deteriorating situation,” a spokesperson said.
SOUNDBITE (English) Rupert Colville, Spokesperson, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“Amid emerging reports of mass killings in the town of Mai-Kadra, in the south-west of the Ethiopian region of Tigray. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet is expressing increasing alarm, at the rapidly deteriorating situation in of Tigray. She warned that if the Tigray regional forces and Ethiopian Government forces continue down the path they are on “there is a risk this situation will spiral totally out of control, leading to heavy casualties and destruction, as well as mass displacement within Ethiopia itself and across borders. While the details of the alleged mass killings reported by Amnesty International in Mai-Kadra in south-west Tigray have not yet been fully verified, the High Commissioner is calling for a full inquiry. If confirmed as having been deliberately carried out by a party to the current fighting, these killings of civilians would of course amount to war crimes, and there must be an independent investigation and full accountability for what has happened. However, the first priority right now must be to stop the fighting and prevent any further atrocities from taking place. Despite the severing of communications with Tigray making it difficult to verify the extent of the damage so far, we have received reports from a variety of sources suggesting increased airstrikes by Government forces as well as fierce ground fighting between the opposing forces. The High Commissioner is also extremely alarmed at reports of cuts to essential water and electricity supplies, in addition to the communications blackout and blocking of access by road and air. This means there is already a dramatic impact on the civilian population, in addition to the risk of death or injury as a result of hostilities. She is strongly urging both sides to realize that there will be no winner in such a situation and calls on them to begin a serious dialogue to resolve their differences without delay. The High Commissioner warns that a protracted internal conflict will inflict devastating damage on both Tigray and Ethiopia as a whole, undoing years of vital development progress. It could, in addition, all too easily spill across borders, potentially destabilizing the whole sub-region.”
The UN Human Rights Chief repeated her 6 November appeal to both sides to begin talks with the aim of an immediate cessation of hostilities.
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